Table of Contents
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN MINISTRY CONTEXTS : UNDERSTANDING THE RISK 4
Child sexual abuse risk in ministry contexts cannot be ignored . This statement implies child protection has been ignored by some ministries in the past . For most ministries , however , the challenge is ignorance of the problem . Most ministries are doing something , but not doing the right thing .
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
PREVENTING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE : AN EFFECTIVE SAFETY SYSTEM 6
When a ministry gathers children or youth , it becomes an attractive target for the sexual offender . Preferential offenders — abusers who prefer a child as a sexual partner — generally target a child within an age range and gender of preference . In developing an effective safety system , churches or ministries are building a “ fence ”: a protective device meant to keep out an unwanted intruder . When we understand the behavior of the offender , we can design and construct effective barriers .
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
IS YOUR CHURCH BUILDING A 4 % FENCE ? 11
The abduction offender — an adult that snatches a random child — represents a mere 4 % -5 % of child sexual abusers . Most churches are building the wrong fence .
Watch MinistrySafe Cofounder Gregory Love ’ s 15-minute session at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission ’ s annual conference to learn more about building the right fence in your church or ministry .
EFFECTIVE SCREENING : KEEPING THE WOLF OUT OF THE SHEEP PEN 12
To effectively protect children and youth from sexual abuse , the Church must learn to recognize the offender ’ s ‘ grooming process ’ and undertake effective screening practices to weed out offenders .
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE RISK IN MINISTRY CONTEXTS : CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS — NOT A SILVER BULLET ! 14
Typically , the criminal background check is quickly identified as the first line of defense in protecting one ’ s church against the risk of child sexual abuse .
However , for many churches , the background check is the only line of defense .
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
REPORTING ABUSE — THE CHURCH ’ S BLIND SPOT 18
If every allegation of child sexual abuse was simply reported by church leaders to appropriate authorities , the resulting positive impact would be immeasurable . Why is reporting such a stumbling block for the Church ? Why is it so difficult ? Answer : ministry leaders must gain understanding and take action . They MUST :
• Understand mandatory reporting legislation
• Understand the limitations of ‘ clergy privilege ’
• Understand how child sexual abuse manifests in ministry environments
• Have the courage to take action in deeply difficult circumstances
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
RESPONDING TO AN ALLEGATION 22
Many ministry leaders do not understand sexual abuse , sexual abusers , or what an appropriate response to an allegation looks like . Consequently , wrong responses abound .
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INSURANCE COVERAGE : AVOIDING COMMON PITFALLS 26
Every church — whether it ’ s multi-campus or a recent plant — deals with insurance coverage . Ministry leaders tend to gravitate to the least expensive policy options and often lack knowledge about what they should be looking for when securing coverage related to child sexual abuse risk . Unfortunately , this reality is revealed only when an allegation arises .
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS : SHOULD YOUR CHURCH ACCOMMODATE KNOWN OFFENDERS ? 30
Our church just completed an RSO Policy . Will you review it and tell us if it ’ s adequate ?
We frequently encounter this ( seemingly simple ) question in our law practice .
In reality , the issue is multi-faceted and complex , and tends to kick off a broader discussion . In the larger conversation , this ‘ simple ’ query should be preceded by a half-dozen more pertinent questions before putting RSO policies in place .
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
2 CHURCH EXECUTIVE • STOP CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE churchexecutive . com